Taper raises new curtain

Dame Edna MCs event

By SHALINI DORE

HOLLYWOOD -- Center Theater Group showed off a refurbished Mark Taper Forum at a gala Saturday with Dame Edna Everage as emcee.

"The restrooms get rave reviews," reported Martin Massman, prexy of the CTG board of directors, during opening remarks at an al fresco dinner before the opening of "The House of Blue Leaves."

At the apres-show affair, a.d. Michael Ritchie said: "Every square inch was touched, and we feel improved. And a lot you don't see -- the grid system, the lights, the sound system, backstage. All great improvements, but the basic architecture of it stayed the same. It has the warmth of the old Taper, but definitely upgraded."

Among those checking out Act II at the Taper were Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, William H. Macy with Felicity Huffman, Robert Rehme, Kirk and Anne Douglas, Eric Idle, Tony Shalhoub, Kristen Bell and Zachary Quinto.